STRIKER Alan Lee will be aiming to make his influence tell as Huddersfield Town take on Wycombe Wanderers at the Galpharm on Saturday (3.00).

The former Republic of Ireland front-runner extended his birthday celebrations – he turned 33 on Sunday – with a display in Town’s Carling Cup exit at Championship outfit Cardiff City that won glowing praise from manager Lee Clark.

Lee (left) entered the fray as 25th-minute replacement for Lee Novak, who limped off with a hamstring problem, and played a big part in Town going within seconds of dumping their Welsh opponents out of the competition.

“Alan was outstanding and he was the catalyst for a lot of things that we did well,” said Clark.

“In the first half we had looked a little tentative with the ball when it came to putting in crosses and shots, but when Alan came on he drove everyone forward.

“Alan’s arrival served to show some of the younger players what it was all about and they all followed his lead.”

And Clark revealed that the much-travelled striker, signed from Crystal Palace last year, was transferring his training ground form to the field. “Alan has got a massive part to play for the side,” said Clark.

“We have seen what he can do on the training field and he is taking that into the game so he will be important for us, especially if he continues that type of form.

“He did everything that I wanted him to do, he led the line and was competitive, and when we didn’t have the ball he worked his socks off.

“It was just unlucky that he didn’t score the goal that his performance deserved.”